Elgin Social Worker Kept Patient As Sex Slave: Lawsuit

ELGIN, IL — A former patient is suing the Illinois Department of Human Services, alleging that a social worker at the Elgin Mental Health Center made him a sex slave, abusing him for over three years. Benhadin Hurt, 24, of Aurora was sent to the state-run facility after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity in 2014 to assaulting a police officer.

Hurt, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday alleging that social worker Christy Lenhardt forced him to have sex with her over a three-year period starting in 2014, and kept him at the mental health facility after his scheduled release date, according to WGN.

The suit also accuses two doctors of knowing about the abuse and failing to take action.

Lenhardt was reportedly fired from the Elgin Mental Health Center in July, after Hurt was released and reported the abuse.

“She engaged in all kinds of various sexual misconduct. The graphic details are every sex act that you can imagine,” Hurt's attorney, Joe Cecala, told CBS Chicago. He accused Lenhardt of "manipulating and seducing" Hurt, saying there is email and photo evidence of her misconduct.

Lenhardt, who has not been charged with a crime, could not be reached for comment. A LinkedIn page for the social worker came up as "not available." The Elgin Mental Health Center declined to comment, according to CBS.

Illinois State Police told WGN they are investigating the allegations.

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